The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Brigadier General Eli Kelly Cole (MCSN: 0-174), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious service from 4 August 1915 until 1917, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding Officer of the First Provisional Brigade of Marines, in Haiti; for his cordial co-operation with and support of, the Provisional Government of Haiti, and for his friendly and efficient efforts for the improvement of the educational and social conditions of the Haitian people.